(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Garden of the Gods celebrated the 20th annual Bighorn Sheep Day at the Nature Center on Saturday, Feb. 15, with a family-friendly event that included wildlife viewing stations, live animals, nature walks, education booths, youth crafts, giveaways, and more.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the majestic Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and their vital role in our ecosystem,” said Bret Tennis, Parks Operations Administrator for Garden of the Gods, who said the event deepens people’s appreciation for the animal and their habitat.

The event hosts between 2,500 and 4,000 people annually, with organizing partners including Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Society, and more.

“It’s wildlife, and so we have no guarantees that they’re going to be around or how long they’ll stay,” said Tennis. “And so we just want to make sure we’re visiting with respect. We’re watching wildlife with respect, and we’re keeping a good distance, especially if we have dogs with [us]. So we want to make sure that people are respecting the bighorn sheep, staying further back, but enjoying the views.”